Pacific Paddle

A few years ago some friends were sitting around over drinks discussing how they could decide who was the “fastest” Kiter or Windsurfer in the Bay…. and now three years later their race has grown into a world class showcase of modern watersports know as the “Bucerias Classic”  The Bay Of Banderas sets the stage and mother nature comes thru with almost perfect conditions for each and every event, bringing together over 200 participants all sharing one common passion – the Ocean!

This year Pacific Paddle Surf threw down the SUP party which proved to be a perfect fit for this water sports display packed into two great days of entertainment and top level sportsmanship and competition. The paddle surf division nicknamed the “Battle of Bucerias” for its proximity to the 5 de Mayo, was a great opportunity for local athletes to compete and introduce some new faces to the local SUP scene.

The SUP relay was the highlight of Saturdays festivities for the spectators and participants alike, 14 eager teams competed for the top spot and the grand prize of a brand new Laird SUP board donated by Surftech Mexico for the most “Charismatic” team. The Sayulita SUP contingent had thier game faces on pulling in the first three podium finishes at the final lap. Teams from Punta Mita, Guadalajara, Valle de Bravo, Salamanca, Mexico, Bucerias and Puerto Vallarta went head to head as camaraderie and team work made some lasting impressions and everyone involved had heaps of fun. -  it was for many the highlight of the weekend.

“The best part of this race was that it introduced SUP to so many people, there were some in the race that had never stood on an SUP before, and everyone was having a blast” said Adam Finer of Pacific Paddle Surf whom provided boards for 10 of the 14 teams.

"Los Tiburones" de la Cocina de Jorge winning a new SUP donated by Surftech

The teams had to have at least on girl, and each team mate had to do one lap around a 400m course, a lot of team work was needed to pull it of smoothly. The most charismatic team of the day was without a doubt the “Tiburones” de la Cocina de Jorge, and the judges agreed as they took home a brand new Laird Hamilton SUP & paddle donated by Surftech Mexico. Congratulations to the crew from Salamanca!!

The Elite race proved to be exiting for the spectators and grueling for the participants as they charged four times around a 1 km course with a 50 meter beach sprint in between laps. The Sayulita presence was felt again, but Pacific Paddle Surf’s Adam Finer was on their heels.

The wind came up late and the windsurfers were blasting thru the slalom course with a tight battle between Diego Martinez, Rene Dami, and Alberto Martinez which held thru the entire weekend ending in a near draw for the Overall Award.

A challenging two days of kite racing with strategy playing a large part, some challenging winds, and a little swimming – course racing has never been more exiting! The Kites could not fend off the windsurfers in the upwind leg of the “wind vs kite”  but in the spirit of competition, it was a grand finale to a great event that we look forward to next year!! Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen!

Adam Finer from Pacific Paddle Surf takes home the “Overall Waterman Award”.

Photos by Soko

SUP Team Relay Race

1. Team Tigre

2. Team Punta Sayulita

3. Team Panga Surf

SUP Elite Race

1. Ryan Helm

2. Fernando Stalla

3. Felipe Rodriguez

SUP Elite Race Women

1. Veronica Nava Finer

Windsurf Slalom

1. Rene Dami

2. Diego Martinez

3. Alberto Matinez

Kitesurf Race boards

1. Diego Martinez Negrete

2. Santiago Ramirez Gonzalez

3. Adam Finer

Kitesurf Race Women

1. Warenka Smutny Valle

2. Michelle Azanza

3. Veronica Nava Finer

Downwind SUP race results

1. Fernando Stalla         59:30

2. Ryan Helm                59:40

3. Felipe Rodriguez     1:03.10

4. Hector Gonzalez     1:08.10

5. Giovani Servantes

6. Lalo Accion

7. Horacio Garcia

Downwind SUP Women race results

1. Elizabeth Miles         1:30.05

2. Veronica Nava              1:30.10

3. Alejandra Luca

Downwind race results OUTRIGGERS

1. Adam Finer  57:20

2. Kevin Roberts 101:12

3. Jeri Grant

Windsurf Overall

1. Alberto Matinez

2. Diego Martinez

3. Rene Dami

Overall SUP

1. Fernando Stalla

2. Ryan Helm

3. Felipe Rodriguez

Overall Waterman

Adam Finer